Sweden first oil free nation

In 1980 Sweden took the radical step to halt its nuclear program and to phase out nuclear power. Just over 25 years later Sweden aims to do away with fossil fuels. The Nordic nation wants to be world's first truly 'green' nation by 2020, by removing its dependency on oil.

Speaking to a recent press conference, Stefan Edman, who leads the Swedish government's oil dependency panel said: "We have very high ambitions, although I don't think it is realistic that not a drop of oil will be used in 2020. However, we have to convert into a non-oil economy."

Sweden has already successfully cut oil use in home heating by 70% in the last 20 years and has kept overall consumption flat in the industrial sector since 1994, despite an impressive 70% increase in production.

While worries about increasing oil prices, stability of supply and climate change are major drivers, the Swedish government expects that environmental technology will be a major growth area in the future. Mr Edman said that "Swedish industry would be well placed to take full advantage" of any opportunities.

Around 35 percent of Sweden's energy is produced from burning oil. The 2020 deadline has therefore made it an urgent priority to find and develop alternative energy sources.